Stet

About Stet

Stet is a minimalist, open-source dictation app for macOS that listens locally and uses AI to refine your words while preserving your natural voice. You can bring your own API key and use it for free, or subscribe to the hosted service for $6.99/month.

Review

Stet aims to provide straightforward voice input without the extra assistant features common in many apps, focusing on keeping the user's personal phrasing intact. It offers two output modes-one that preserves quirks for person-to-person communication and another that tightens language for AI consumption-and runs locally with an optional hosted backend that includes a 10,000-word trial and a stated zero data retention policy.

Key Features

• Open-source macOS app with a minimalist interface and local audio capture.
• Two-mode output (human vs. AI) that adjusts how much the text is refined based on context.
• Bring-your-own API key support so you can route processing through your preferred provider.
• Optional hosted service for $6.99/month with a free trial of 10,000 words and a backend intended for zero data retention.

Pricing and Value

Using your own API key lets you run Stet without paying a subscription; cost then depends on the model and provider you choose. If you prefer a managed option, the hosted plan is $6.99/month and includes a trial credit (10,000 words). For users who value a simple dictation workflow and control over model choice, Stet offers clear value-especially given the open-source code and the low hosted price-though heavy users will want to compare API costs from their chosen provider.

Pros

• Preserves personal voice and phrasing better than many automatic "cleanup" tools.
• Open-source codebase allows inspection and community contributions.
• Flexible: use your own API key or the affordable hosted option.
• Minimal interface with a focused feature set reduces distractions during dictation.

Cons

• macOS-only at present, so not an option for Windows or Linux users.
• Hosted backend is run by a small indie developer; support and scale may be limited compared with larger vendors.
• Deciding what to clean versus what to leave can be tricky and may not match every user's preference, so expect some tuning and feedback cycles.

Stet is a good fit for macOS users who want lightweight, natural-sounding dictation and who value the ability to keep processing under their own API key. It also suits developers and privacy-conscious users who appreciate open source and a low-cost hosted option, but keep in mind it's an early-stage project and may have rough edges as it matures.

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